Thin at receiver, Eagles bring back Jordan Matthews

The Philadelphia Eagles are really thin at receiver.

They got even thinner after an injury to Mike Wallace on Sunday, but they’ve brought back a familiar face to hopefully help.

Jordan Matthews signed

On Wednesday, Philadelphia announced that it has signed Jordan Matthews. Matthews was signed by the New England Patriots in April on a one-year contract but he was released just days into training camp.

Matthews had suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth practice of camp, and initially he was placed on injured reserve but he agreed to an injury settlement that allowed him to sign with other teams.

The 6-foot-3 Matthews spent last season with the Buffalo Bills, but he was with the Eagles for the first three years of his career. Philadelphia drafted Matthews in the second round in 2014, and he had 225 catches and 19 touchdowns with them in that time.

Perhaps most importantly, he has good chemistry with quarterback Carson Wentz, who is returning to play this week after tearing his ACL last December.

Mike Wallace to IR

The Eagles needed a receiver after Wallace suffered a fractured fibula against Tampa Bay on Sunday. The 10-year veteran was placed on injured reserve, though he could come back later in the season.

However, Wallace had seemingly struggled to find a niche in the offense: in two games, he’d only been targeted three times, with no catches.

Wallace is the third player the Eagles have placed on IR and the second receiver: Mack Hollins went on IR earlier this month after a setback in his recovery from a groin injury.

Eagles need effective receivers

Philadelphia is waiting for Alshon Jeffery to return to health; Jeffery had offseason rotator cuff surgery and has not yet been cleared for contact.

Receiver Nelson Agholor and tight end Zach Ertz have 32 receptions (16 each) through the first two games; every other pass-catcher on the roster has combined for 23 catches.